What Does the Bible Say about Family?
It is evident that families are important to God. When God created Adam, he then created a helpmate for him. Adam named her Eve (Genesis 2). The animals already had mates suitable for them. God created woman from the rib of man. Man was created from the image of God. So, what does the Bible say about family? We know that many families are highlighted in the Bible. Early in the book of Genesis, we learn about the first sons of Adam and Eve…Cain and Abel. We also learn about problems occurring in the family and the root cause of those problems.
Satan has been at odds with man since the beginning. He was kicked out of heaven because he could not follow leadership. We are called the children of God. God adores us. God has given us the Bible to show us how to be victorious in living. The Bible says to honor thy father and mother in Exodus 20:12. The Bible says to “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).
God also knows that sometimes there will be separations of families from time to time. His Word says “And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29) It is important to realize that there are different situations. God commanded Abram in Genesis 12:1 “Get thee out of the country, and from thy kindred, and from they father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” Be careful not to let people manipulate you with Scripture for their purpose. Know what God is speaking to you and what the plan and mission are for your family.
Why Are Families So Precious to God?
Families are precious to God because He created man in his own image. Families are a means of keeping the earth populated and being caretakers of all that God placed on the earth. Adam was alone when God created Eve. He said in Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone. Therefore, it is safe to assume that God wants men and women to marry and have children. Lineages and houses are highlighted in the Bible. God highlights Adam’s genealogy in the fifth chapter of Genesis. We see Noah’s lineage highlighted in Genesis 10. Look at Israel’s genealogy in chapter 35 of Genesis. Also, note the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:2-16 and Luke 3:23-38.
I think one of the families’ highlighted a lot in the Bible has to do with the tribes of Israel. We know about Joseph being sold from his family. He was betrayed by his brothers because they were jealous of him. We know how Jacob or Israel greatly loved his family and was heartbroken when he lost one of his favorite sons. Start reading around Genesis 37 to get an idea of how much Jacob loved Joseph. Joseph and his family were reunited later. Joseph understood that God sent him ahead of his family so that they would not starve during a great drought. (Genesis 43-45)
How Has Satan Attacked Families — Especially in the Church?
The enemy does seek to attack families. He likes to keep division and strife among families. That is his purpose. Since his time is not long, the attacks on humanity have increased. We are victors and we can get into the Word of God to thwart all the attacks of the devil. We are not without ammunition which is the Word of God. You also need a prayer life. Pray for the Holy Ghost if you do not have him already. This is the Spirit of God that ups the ante on the enemy.
5 Ways to Help Our Families Grow in Grace.
Pray for our families. The Bible says men ought to always pray and not faith (Luke 18:1). “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).
Men should be prepared to lead their families. If there is not a male at the head of the household, women should be prepared to lead. Whoever the leader is should do it with integrity. If you lead with integrity, it will not be hard to get others to fall in line, plus you will have God’s backing. “Submitting yourself one to another in the fear of God. Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:21-24) Read the rest of chapter five. It continues with how husbands should act since they are in leadership right after God.
Nurture and develop your family spiritually and in other areas. You should read and study the word together whenever possible. You should worship together. You should raise your children in the fear of the Lord. The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 6:22). Get your minds right so that you can get your family right. You cannot go wrong with leading with integrity and consistency.
“In the world, ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (John 6:33). You should develop the gifts and talents of your children and be supportive of your spouse in their development. Some parents identify talents in their children early and place them in sports, band, orchestra, dance, or wherever they need to be. Of course, children will learn as time goes on where they excel, but it is up to the parent to position their children for development. Sometimes, teachers spot talent and help to cultivate it. Sometimes pastors, spot talent in youth and help to cultivate it. It is your family. No one should be a bigger cheerleader than those in your own family unit.
Protect your family. Secure your family. Cover your families in safety. Know the rules and the laws. Know the areas and the territory. Know what issues your family faces as far as safety. Know what the children must deal with spiritually as well as physically.
Stay unified. Build up your own family. Stay unified. The enemy wants to tear families apart. He does not like family. He does not like leadership, because he cannot submit to leadership. That is why he is in the position that he is in. Since we are God’s children, he wants to hurt us. However, the enemy is under our feet.
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Dr. Sandra Hamer Smith is a Christian and wife to Sylvester Smith. She has one stepson, Greg. Smith lives and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The University of Memphis alumnae has been in education for about 20 years after receiving the call to teach. Dr. Smith primarily teaches language arts. Prior to education, she worked in local and national television news for 13 years including positions as an overnight news anchor, reporter, and assignments editor at two local network affiliate stations. Smith was also a freelance correspondent for BET news. Dr. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defender newspaper and Contempora magazine. She is the author of the self-published novel GLORY…THE HAIR. Smith is also a playwright and poet. The Tennessee native is a member of Temple of Deliverance COGIC, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Omicron Delta Kappa, The Golden Key International Honour Society, and Kappa Delta Pi.